Original Building

The front block of the museum building dates back to 1887. It features an elegant neo-Palladian design, a European style of architecture characterised by a highly symmetrical façade and the use of pediments above windows.

A Life of Practice - Kuo Pao Kun

2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of Singaporean dramatist Kuo Pao Kun. An art activist and public intellectual, Kuo was a forerunner in the local arts and culture industry. He developed a critical mass of enthusiasts in the local theatre scene, with many talented individuals blossoming into multi-faceted artists and practitioners.

Some of Kuo's pioneering acts included Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle presented in 1967, assembling and setting up a home for the Arts – The Substation – in 1990, and establishing local, regional and international networks, making possible artistic and theatrical lorem ipsum dolor sit amet exchanges.

Kuo's life will be exhibited for the first time at the National Museum of Singapore through a selection of photographs, manuscripts, letters, costumes and archival footage. The exhibition will also shed light on the development of arts and culture in Singapore.

Free Guided Tours

Free guided tours are kindly offered by docents from Museum Volunteers Group and Mandarin Docent Group.

All tours start from the Stamford Visitor Services Counter.
Estimated duration: 60 minutes
Limited to 15 participants per session, on a first come, first served basis.
Admission fee to the galleries applies to the guided tours.

"A Life of Practice: Kuo Pao Kun" Special Exhibition will be closed at 5pm (last entry at 4.30pm) on the following dates:

12 Oct, Fri

16 Oct, Fri

24-26 Oct, Wed to Fri

21-23 Nov, Wed to Fri

9-11 Jan, Wed to Fri

20-22 Feb, Wed to Fri

We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Mandarin

Saturdays 3pm

Family Time

Take a trip through 700 years of Singapore's history with your little ones with our Family Time Guide to find out how life in this Lion City has changed over the centuries. On your journey, you will meet various historical figures as well as landmark objects in each phase of Singapore's history. Explore how people from different communities used to live, their aspirations and how they helped shape the Singapore we see today.

Museum guide

Download our museum guide (English, Chinese, Bahasa Melayu, Tamil) to find out about the many treasures in our various galleries. In this guide, you will also find the floor plan for easier navigation. Enjoy your visit!